Travel in Myanmar: when to go, places and advice

The plain of Bagan bristling with two thousand temples in the morning mist, the gold-covered Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon, the one-legged fishermen of Inle Lake and the Golden Rock balanced on the edge of the void: Myanmar concentrates some of the strongest images of South-East Asia. Long closed off, it has kept its gentleness and its Buddhist fervour intact. Check the political situation and the open areas before planning the trip.

Capital: Naypyidaw
Currency: Kyat (K)
Language: Burmese
Direct flight: No direct flight, via Bangkok or Singapore
Time difference: +5 hr 30 in winter, +4 hr 30 in summer

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in Myanmar

The itineraries in Myanmar are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in Myanmar?

From November to February, the dry, cool season is ideal: 25 to 30 °C, crystal skies over Bagan and Inle Lake. March and April heat up brutally, up to 40 °C on the plains, before the monsoon soaks the country from May to September. October, in between, becomes workable again as the rains space out.

January : Ideal
February : Ideal
March : Pleasant
April : Avoid
May : Avoid
June : Avoid
July : Avoid
August : Avoid
September : In-between
October : Pleasant
November : Ideal
December : Ideal

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding Myanmar

Getting around

The VIP night buses link the main stages at low cost. The train, slow and rattling, is worth it for the panoramic Gokteik line. In Bagan and Inle, you get around by electric scooter or by pirogue.

Money

The kyat (K). The country runs on cash: bring new, immaculate dollars or euros to change locally, the ATMs remain temperamental. Big expenses (hotels, flights) are often settled in foreign currency.

Language

Burmese and its circular alphabet. The elders' English, inherited from the British era, helps in the tourist areas. A "mingalaba" delivered with a smile opens every door.

Useful apps

Grab for Yangon taxis, Maps.me for offline maps more reliable than Google there, and a local eSIM bought at the airport to stay reachable.

Accommodation

Family guesthouses, colonial hotels of Yangon and stilt lodges on Inle Lake. Comfort is simple outside the big hotels, the smiles more than make up for it.

Etiquette

Shoes off in every pagoda, socks included. Never point your foot at anyone, do not touch heads, and give and receive with the right hand.

The iconic places

Plain of Bagan

Bagan

More than 2,000 temples and stupas from the 11th century scattered along the bank of the Irrawaddy. At sunrise, the hot-air balloons complete the picture.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon

A 99 m gilded stupa, tonnes of gold and diamonds, the spiritual heart of the country. Magical at sunset, when the faithful light the candles.

Inle Lake

Shan State

Floating gardens, stilt villages and Intha fishermen rowing with one leg. The early-morning pirogue crosses the mists of the lake.

U Bein Bridge

Amarapura

1.2 km of teak laid across Taungthaman lake, the longest teak bridge in the world. Silhouettes of monks at sundown guaranteed.

Golden Rock

Kyaiktiyo

A gilded boulder in improbable balance on the cliff edge, a major place of pilgrimage. The ride up by open truck is part of the adventure.

Hpa-An

Karen State

Karst peaks, cave sanctuaries with thousands of Buddhas and fluorescent green paddies: the Burmese countryside at its most photogenic.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Bagan : The plain of 2,000 temples
Shwedagon Pagoda : The great golden stupa of Yangon
Inle Lake : One-legged fishermen and floating gardens
U Bein Bridge : The teak bridge of Amarapura
Mandalay Hill : View over the last royal capital
Golden Rock : The balancing sanctuary of Kyaiktiyo
Hpa-An : Karsts and sacred caves of Karen State
Mrauk U : The fortress temples of Arakan
Ngapali Beach : The finest shore of the Bay of Bengal